It’s that time of year again when we like to reflect and take stock of what has happened over the last 12 months. This year was particularly poignant as the company celebrated its 20^th anniversary of providing M & E services in this wonderful part of the country. 

Products & Services

In 2024 we continued to enhance the range of services on offer. 

Firstly, our move into the renewables market gained further momentum. In April, we achieved full industry accreditation for Air Source Heat Pump installations and obtained our first Boiler Upgrade Scheme Grant on behalf of one of our clients. Our Solar PV certification was successfully renewed and the engineers completed a number of Electric Vehicle Charger installations. The business is looking to grow its Renewables offering in 2025; with this in mind keep an eye out for the new Quinns Renewables website which will be going live in January!  

The Construction Team has also grown in size this year – the company now has a full range of disciplines to support our M & E projects and offer an office refurbishment service. However, its main thrust has been the move into providing a fully accredited Fire Stopping service and we welcomed some specialists in this area. 2025 promises to be an exciting time for this integral part of the business. 

Despite these new ventures, the core business remains the delivery of our M & E projects. This constant source of work on vital sites in and around the area is never taken for granted and the company remains committed to providing a fully accredited and compliant range of services to our loyal and valued client base.  

Employees

It goes without saying that business could not perform as it does without our excellent team of engineers and office staff. This applies equally to our longer serving personnel and to those we have been delighted to welcome this year.   

In 2024, we welcomed seven new members to the team with two more due to start in January. This is a marked increase in staff numbers  from the same period last year which reflects our growth strategy. There is also a pool of sub-contractors who work with us all year round and remain an invaluable source of support for the business.   

Staff retention and welfare is at the heart of what we are looking to achieve. The directors continue to assess how we can build on the package and benefits we offer whilst embracing the recent legislation changes in employee rights. The annual Staff Appraisal system is also  embedded into the process where we have encouraged staff involvement in discussions over pay, training and career progression. The comprehensive Staff Handbook introduced in 2024 will be updated for next year and will include the revised Grading System and Pay Bands.  

It was also another strong year for our Apprentices. Four achieved full qualification in 2024, a fresh cohort should get over the line in 2025 and we were delighted to welcome two new starters back in September.  Our Apprentice Scheme remains an immense source of pride for the business.   

Kris and the directors would like to express a huge depth of gratitude to all the staff for their efforts and loyalty in 2024 and we look forward to our Christmas Drinks later this month. 

Challenges & Ambitions! 

The company did face some significant headwinds in 2024 which we worked hard to overcome. A new Government, changes to Employee rights, a run of bad luck with our fleet of vans, a couple of long-term absentees plus an ever increasing number of audits meant the business had to work even harder to achieve our aims. Despite all this, we have managed to take on more work than ever before, embarked on a huge re-piping project and still achieved deadlines to keep our clients on board.  

Challenges are of course part and parcel of running an SME but these will not stand in our way going forward. In 2025, the company is looking to continue its expansion and diversification and Kris will be making an exciting announcement in January concerning our ambitions for the New Year. This will include an internal restructure of the business designed to improve efficiencies and aimed at making sure we continue to deliver for our clients and cover all their M & E requirements- watch this space!!    

Summary

It’s only when you take a step back and reflect on the year that we realise just how much has been achieved. We sincerely hope that all the groundwork put into our continuous improvement will bear fruit in 2025 and beyond. 

In the meantime, on behalf of our MD Kris Quinn, Quinns M & E would like to wish all our clients, suppliers and partners and stakeholders a wonderful Christmas, a prosperous New Year and a huge thank you for your unwavering support.   

As winter approaches and the days get shorter, many of us are turning our thoughts to keeping our homes warm and cosy. In the UK, where temperatures can drop significantly, choosing the right heating system is crucial for both comfort and cost-efficiency. Two popular options are electric heating and conventional wet system heating (often known as central heating). Each has its own set of pros and cons, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision for your home this winter.

Electric Heating

Pros

1. Ease of Installation: Electric heaters are generally easier and quicker to install compared to wet system heating. There’s no need for extensive pipework or a boiler; plug-in heaters or wall-mounted units can be set up with minimal disruption.
2. No Maintenance Costs: Electric heating systems require less maintenance. There are no boilers to service or radiators to bleed, which can save you time and money in the long run.
3. Zone Heating: Electric heaters can be used to heat individual rooms or zones, which means you can target warmth where it’s needed most. This can be more efficient if you only use certain rooms frequently.
4. Lower Initial Costs: The upfront cost of purchasing and installing electric heaters is generally lower than installing a conventional wet system heating setup.

Cons

1. Higher Running Costs: Electricity is often more expensive than gas, and electric heaters can be costly to run, particularly if used as the primary source of heating. This can lead to higher energy bills during the winter months.
2. Limited Heat Distribution: Electric heaters may not provide the same level of consistent, whole-house warmth as a central heating system. They are often better suited for supplementary heating.
3. Environmental Impact: Depending on how your electricity is generated, electric heating might have a larger carbon footprint compared to gas central heating. It’s worth considering the source of your electricity and looking into green energy options.

Conventional Wet System Heating (Central Heating)
Pros

1. Cost-Effective Running Costs: Central heating systems that use gas are typically more cost-effective in terms of running costs compared to electric heaters. Gas prices are generally lower than electricity, which can result in lower bills.
2. Whole-House Warmth: A well-designed central heating system provides consistent and even heating throughout your home. This can be especially beneficial during the colder months when maintaining a uniform temperature is important.
3. Energy Efficiency: Modern condensing boilers are highly efficient and can significantly reduce energy consumption. Additionally, many systems are compatible with smart thermostats, allowing for better control and efficiency.
4. Environmental Benefits: If you use a combination of a high-efficiency boiler and renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, your carbon footprint can be reduced compared to purely electric systems.

Cons

1. Higher Initial Costs: The installation of a central heating system, including the boiler, radiators, and pipework, can be expensive. This is a significant investment, though it can pay off over time with lower running costs.
2. Maintenance Requirements: Central heating systems require regular maintenance to ensure they operate efficiently and safely. This includes servicing the boiler and checking for any issues with the radiators and pipework.
3. Installation Disruption: Installing a new central heating system can be disruptive, especially if it involves extensive work such as fitting pipes and radiators throughout your home.

Which Is Right for You?

Choosing between electric heating and conventional wet system heating depends on various factors, including your budget, the size of your home, and your heating needs. If you’re looking for a lower initial cost and easy installation, electric heaters might be a good choice. However, if you’re concerned about running costs and want consistent, whole-house heating, a conventional wet system could be more beneficial in the long run.

Before making a decision, consider getting a professional assessment of your home’s heating needs and energy efficiency. This can help you determine the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for your winter comfort.

Ultimately, the goal is to stay warm and comfortable without breaking the bank or harming the environment. By weighing the pros and cons of each system, you can make an informed choice that suits your home and lifestyle this winter.

Give Quinns a call to discuss how we can help keep you warm this winter.

We are delighted to announce that our Mechanical Director, Derek, is entering his 10th year at Quinns M&E. 

Back in 2015, the company provided electrical services only and Derek was brought in to start the mechanical arm so we could become a full M&E business. At the time, Derek was the sole mechanical engineer and was tasked with bringing in plumbing and heating work and, as the workload grew, finding and training new engineers. 

Wind the clock forward ten years and Derek’s division now accounts for 40% of the company’s revenue, as well as supporting the electrical and construction arms. His team has now grown to eight employees and over the years he has mentored apprentices from their first day at college through to full qualification. 

Above all, the secret to Derek’s success has been the quality of work produced by himself and his team. This quality is combined with a dedication to site safety and cleanliness. All this has resulted in a strong reputation for Derek and the company in the plumbing and heating sector. We wish Derek every success in his 10th year and are proud of all he has achieved.

Author: Patrick Harrington, Operations Manager

Well, the shift from working at a large corporate to an SME continues to prove a huge eye-opener.  

When things went wrong at the Bank there was always a department to sort things out- a Lloyds equivalent of Mr Benn appeared “as if by magic” and the problem was solved! This occurred with minimal impact on my time, and I was able to crack on with the day job.

Yet, as I write this, we are only at mid-morning on Wednesday and already the following has happened this week:

• Two more of our vans have had faults reported and are in the garage- that is now a total of five currently off the road for various reasons.
• Our phone/internet provider has decided to remove the named contact from their files – they are now refusing to speak with us about our intermittent online reception.
• An engineer we were due to meet on site decided to turn up an hour early and then left before we arrived at the allotted time.
• An outbreak of chickenpox has caused havoc with childcare arrangements which in turn affects where our engineers can be.       

On the face of it none of the above are disastrous (unlike when we ran out of tea bags this morning and I had to hotfoot it to Tesco!), but all take time and resources to resolve. We are too few for any of us to walk past these problems and we all need to muck in accordingly.

I am not complaining- I love the job and what it entails. I simply thought this entry would likely resonate with our fellow SMEs and open the eyes of others to the challenges faced when running businesses of this size. Let’s see what the rest of the week brings!